Apparatus for treating metal articles



Oct. 4, 1938. D TURNBULL 2,131,768'

APARATUS FOR TREATING METAL ARTICLES Filed Aug. 21, 19:56I 5 sheets-sheet 1 NVENTOR Wulf/a ihr/Mull Oct. 4,1938. D. c. TURNBULL .V 2,131,768

I I APPARATUS FOR TREATING METAL ARTICLES v Filed Aug. 2l, 1936 y 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Oct. 4, 1938. D Q TURNBULL. 2,131,768 i APPARATUS FOR TREATING METAL ARTICLES Filed Aug. 21, 193e 5 sheets-sheet 5 INVENTOR .ATTOREY Oct. 4, 1938. n. c. TuRNBLL' APPARATUS FOR TREATING METAL ARTICLE Filed Aug. 21, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR i azf/fl @7i/mhd! ATTORNEY Oct. 4, 1938.

D. c. TURNBULL 2,131,768

APPARATUS FOR TREATING METAL ARTICLES Filed Aug. 21, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 s QE w n Q 5 w N s w1 g; im

I n B I Ln I 'i 3 -T w` 1 N F, I' l AT1-ORNE' Patented Oct. -4, 1938 APPARATUS Foa TREATING METAL ARTI CLES

David C. Turnbull, Mishawaka, Ind., assignor to American Foundry Equipment Company, Mishawaka, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Application August 21, 1936, Serial No. 97,099

9 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for treating metal articles..

In cleaning, polishing, hardening, or otherwise treating the surfaces of metal articles by projecting a stream of treating particles thereagainst, it is desirable to manipulate the articles so that the various surfaces of each article are fully and eiciently treated. It is also desirable thatthe processbe carried out continuously, in order to eliminate the necessity for shutting dowr. the apparatus when supplying the articles to the apparatus and removing them therefrom.

According to the present invention, the articles to be treated are deposited on a conveyor having an arcuate, trough-like supporting surface. The conveyor comprises a series of individually movable elements having lugs adapted toengage the articles and cause them to tumble or turn, the lugs also serving to advance the articles along on the conveyos and through a stream of treating material. The articles are fed continuously into the apparatus at one end, passed through the stream while undergoing a forward tumbling action and are thereafter discharged from the apparatus at the other end. One or more abrasive streams of fanlike divergent shape each extending in the direction of the general forward movement of the articles through the apparatus operate to uniformly and thoroughly clean all exposed surfaces of the articles as they are tumbled and progressively advanced through the conveyor. Thus by reason of the cooperative relationship between the fan-like movement of the abrasive particles-and the uniform tumbling movement of the articles in the conveyor, highly effective cleaning and treating results are attained.

The apparatus for carrying out the process according to the invention includes one or more abrasive throwing wheels of the rotary centrifugal type, each having means for controlling the direction of flight of the abrasive, operating in synchronism with a conveyor having an arcuate trough-like supporting surface and adapted to carry articles through the stream and turn them about therein. The arcuate article suppoting surface is constituted by a plurality of longitudinally extending, generally parallel and relatively closely spaced bars. The bars are `mounted for individual rotation and are provided with spaced lugs or abutments which serve to advance the articles upwardly along the side wall of the arcuate surface to a point from which they tumble toward the lower portion of the surface. The abutments preferably have inclined wall portions adapted to advance the articles longitudinally along the supporting surface. The article supporting and tumbling bars may be provided with suitably shaped cam-like blocks fixed thereto or each bar may include a generally cylindrical shaft formed with suitably positioned grooves or flanges. The articles may be deposited on the conveyor from above the conveyor and may be removed by a chute extending from the discharge end. However, if desired, a rotatable feed drum and a discharge drum may be provided for supplying the articles to the conveyor and removing them therefrom or both. The drum is disposed adjacent the end of the conveyor and is formed with spaced, inclined abutments, comprising lugs, anges or the like, adapted to advance the articles along the drum when the latter is rotated.

The invention provides a method whereby articles to be treated may be positively, effectively and uniformly treated. The articles are tumbled about on the vconveyor and each article is carried into the abrasive stream and subjected to thorough uniform treatment. The tumbling action also assists in shaking loose from the articles rust, scale or other adherent foreign matter. The length of the treating period may be positively controlled by proper adjustment of the speed of rotation of the conveyor bars.

The apparatus is relatively simple, yet strong and rugged in construction, and the various parts which receive substantial wear can be quickly and easily removed for repair or replacement. The apparatus is substantially automatic in operation and requires a minimum of attention. I

An object of the present invention is the prei:- vision of an improved, economical and eilicient apparatus for cleaning, polishing, hardening or otherwise treating 'the surfaces of the articles, whereby the operation may be carried out continuously and substantially automatically.

Another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for treating metal articles which-is simple, rugged, eilicient and economical and which uniformly and effectively treats all of the surfaces of the articles.

Another object of the invention is the provision 4 of a combined rotary centrifugal throwing wheel or Wheels having means associated therewith for controlling the `direction of flight of treating par. ticles to produce a fan-like stream and a conveying mechanism for advancing articles alo'ng said r50 stream and for tumbling them about in said stream.

Still another object of my inventionis the provision of a novel mechanism for continuously and automatically supplying articles to be treated 55 to the conveying mechanism for treatment and for removing the articles from said conveying mechanism after treatment.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description and from aninspection of the accompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are believedto be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of apparatus suitable for carrying out the present invention, certain of the parts being shown broken away andin section in order to expose to view certain interior details of construction;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse cross vsectional view of the apparatus taken along line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the conveyor roll blocks;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a modified form of apparatus employing rotatable supply and discharge mechanisms, portions of the apparatus being shown broken away to expose the interior;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view showing a modified form of apparatus employing a modified type of conveyor rolls; and

Fig. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 7, this view being taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

In the following description and in the claims, various details will be identified by specic names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit. Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, certain specific disclosures of the invention is made for purposes of explanation, but it will be understood that the details may be modified in various respects without departure from the broad aspect of the invention.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown apparatus including a housing I having an inlet 2 and outlet 3 and a conveyor 5 extending longitudinally through the housing from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3. Projecting into the inlet 2 is a charging vestibule 6, having an inclined floor 1, the vestibule being closed by one or more flexible curtains 8. Ex tending from the outlet 3 is a discharging vestibule I0 having a downwardly inclined floor II, the vestibule being closed by one or more flexible curtains I2.

suitably mounted in position to project a stream of treating material into the housing I is a centrifugal abrasive projector wheel A, hereinafter more fully described. A suitable number of additional projector wheels B and C may be provided, if desired, as for example, where it is desired to provide apparatus of relatively large capacity. Preferably, suflicient projector wheels are provided so that the treating stream or streams extend over substantially the entire length of the conveyor 5. Where a plurality of projector wheels are employed, certain of them. are preferably rotated in opposite directions, whereby to increase the angular range of the components of the abrasive streams.

Each projector wheel generally comprises a plurality of spaced and generally radially arranged throwing blades I6 which extend from adjacent the periphery of the wheel to inwardly short of the center to dene a circular opening 22. Disposed in the circular opening 22 is an impeller 23 having a plurality of radially arranged vanes 24 which may be fixed to rotate with the blades I6. Surrounding the impeller 23 is a control member 25 having a discharge opening 26. The control member is mounted independently of the blades I5 and may be adjusted to shift the clockdial position of the discharge opening 26 whereby the abrasive discharged from the wheel may be directed as desired. Suitable supporting means such as side plates I1 and I8 may be provided for the blades I6. The wheel I5 may be mounted for rotation on a hub I9 carried on a shaft 20 which may be mounted in bearings 2| on the top wall of the housing I.

'I'he wheel A may be driven from a suitable source of power, such as a motor 3l, connected through a suitable drive, such as belt drive 32, to the shaft 20. Upon energization of the motor 3I, the impeller 23, side plates I1 and I8 and throwing blades I6 are rotated as a unit, the control member 25 remaining stationary. Suitable treating material, hereinafter referred to as abrasive is supplied to the wheel through a feed pipe 33 extending through an opening I4 in the side plate I'I and terminating adjacent the impeller 23. The abrasive may be stored in a suitable hopper (not shown) preferably located at a higher level than the wheel so that the abrasive can flow from the wheel by gravity through a suitable pipe such as the pipe 34.

It is to be understood that the term abrasive as herein used is intended to include suitable treating material both that which is inherently abrasive and that which exerts a smoothing and polishing action. The abrasive may include smooth steel shot, cracked steel grits, quartz sand or other granular materials suitable for cleaning, polishing, hardening or otherwise modifying the surface characteristics of the articles treated.

When the wheel is rotated as described and abrasive is supplied thereto the abrasive is hurled by impeller 23 through the opening 26 in the control member 25 and into the path of the rotating throwing blades I6. The abrasive is urged along the leading faces of the throwing blades I6 and projected therefrom adjacent the periphery of the wheel I5 by combined centrifugal and radial forces. The abrasive spreads out in a fan-like stream having components extending throughout a considerable range of angularity in the plane of rotation of thewheel I5. The stream forms an elongated, generally rectangular impingement pattern on a horizontal plane disposed below the wheel and extending lengthwise of the conveyor. Other factors remaining constant, the direction of flight of the abrasive may be adjusted by suitable adjustment of the clock dial position of the control member 25. Also, the direction of the stream may be altered by mounting the Wheel for rotation in a reverse direction.

A suitable opening 21 is provided in the top wall o-f the housing I to permit the abrasive stream a to be projected into the housing and 75 "vided for enclosing the upper portion of the.

wheel, and one or more baille plates 36 may depend from the top wall of. the housing I to pro-I tect various adjacent portions of the housing. If

desired, certain of the portions of the apparatus which are subject to wear by reason of flying or rebounding abrasive particles may be covered ywith protective jackets or the like formed of resilient material such as rubber or rubber fabric.

Disposed below Ithe conveyor is a floor which may be shaped to form a hopper 35 adapted to receive and collect abrasive which has been discharged from the wheel. A conveyor, such as the screw conveyor 36, may be disposed in the hopper for conveying the spent abrasive out of the housing I. A transverse trough 38 in which is disposed a screw conveyor 39 may be provided for conveying the spent abrasiveffrom the hopper'35 to an elevator 4I, which may be disposed outside ofthe housing I for returning the spent abrasive to the storagehopper (not shown). The screw conveyors 36 and 39 and the elevator 4I may have sprockets 31, 46 and 62 respectively attached thereto, and suitable driving'means may be provided for driving the sprockets whereby to actuate the elevating apparatus.

The conveyor 5 preferably is formed from a plurality of generally parallel and closely spaced rolls 56 extending longitudinally within the housing I and arranged to form an arcuate troughlike'supporting surface disposed under and in the path of the abrasive streams a, b and c. Preferably, the conveyor is arranged so that the lowermost portion lies directly under the abrasive streams a, b and c and the side walls extend upwardly therefrom on both sides. One side wall of the conveyor may be considerably higher than the other, as will hereinafter appear.

Each roll 56 may comprise a shaft' 5I carrying a plurality of blocks 52 arranged on the shafts in staggered arrangement. Referring particularly to Fig. 4, each block may be formed as an oval disc and may .have a central boss 56 projecting from each sideface. A rectangular opening 55 may extend through the centralportionof the block 52 for receiving the rectangular portion. 56 of the shaft 5I. Oneface of the block 52 may be formed with tapered faces 51 and 58 adjacent the `ends 'for the purpose ofl exerting a sidewise pushing action on the articles treated, as hereinafter more fully. pointed out. 1 e

A series of blocks 52 are disposed on the rectangular portion56 of each shaft with the faces formed by the ends of the blocks. 'I'he rolls 50 are suitable mounted so that the high portions of each roll, formed by the ends of the blocks, are positioned opposite the low portions of the adjacent rolls thereby permitting the blocks of each roll to clear the blocks of the adjacent rolls when the rolls are rotated.

Each shaft tlv ismounted in a suitable bearing 6I) in one end of the housing and a second bearingA 6I at the other end of the housing. Either or both of thebearings 6I may be roller-bearings.

Bearing 6I is preferably mounted in a bearing housing 62, detachably supported in an opening 59 in the end wall 63 of the housing. Preferably, the opening 59. is `of sufficient size to permit the corresponding roll 5!)v to be removed from the housing I for repair or replacement.

C arried pn one end of each shaft 5I isa sprocket 64. The sprockets 64 may be .driven from a suitable source of power, such as a motor 65,which 4may drive a speed reducer 66 and a suitable drive 61 connected to a shaft 68 mounted inl bearings 69 on the top wall of the housing I. Carried on the forward lend. of the shaft 68 is a sprocket I6 around which is trained a chain 1|,.also trained over all of the sprockets 64. Upon energization of the motor 65, the shaft 68 is rotated and allA of the sprockets 64 are driven to rotate their respective shafts 5I and thus rotate the rolls 56 in the desired manner. l

An end head or wall member .86 may be mounted adjacent the charging end (right-hand end as viewed in Fig. 1) of the conveyor 5 for preventing articles from dropping oi the conveyor at thisv end. The head 86 may includeda circular facing member 8| carried by a plate 82 connected as by studs 83 to a plate 84. The head4 86 may-be fixed t hollow hub 85 rotatably mounted on a stub si. ift 86 by a bearing 81 which may be 'a roller or ball bearing. The stub shaft 86 is journaled in a bearing 88 mounted on the end wall 68 of the housing. A suitable take-up device 89 may be provided for maintaining the shaft 86, bearing 81, and hub 85 tight relative to the bearing 88. The head 86 is rotatable and hence when the rolls 56 are driven to tumble the articles about there is no tendeney for the articles tqjam or unduly rub against the head, but the latter rotates as much as necessary to permit free tumbling of the articles.

The operation of apparatus is as follows:

The projector wheels A, B and C are operated in the manner described to project abrasive streams a, b and c against articles supported on the conveyor 5, the stream c being directed reversely relatively to the streams a and b. The articles to be treated are deposited in the charging vestibule 6 and slide along the floor .'I and tumble on to the conveyor 5. The motor 65 is energized and drives the rolls 58 to tumble the articles on the troughi like surface provided by the rolls 56. The rolls 56 are driven in synchronism so that the ends of the blocks 52 successively strike against-each article and impart an impulse thereto in a direction. (to the right as shown in Fig. 2) to cause the article to travel upwardly along the'side wall of the conveyor. When the article climbs upwardly along the side wall of the conveyor to a position where-` in they exceed their angle of repose, they tumble down over the ascending articles toward the lowermost portion of the conveyor. h This action is repeated and each article is carried along a substantially continuous path up along the side of the As the articles advance along the conveyorithey A are struck by particles of abrasive traveling at highl speed which cleans, polishes, hardens or otherwise treats the surfaces of articles accord- Thus the articles aresprocket H2 secured to thel drum IOI.

ance with the nature of the particles used. Since the abrasive streams a, b 'and c have components extending throughout varying angles, and since the particles are tumbled about in the trough, the articles are struck by abrasive from various angles and thus all portions of the surfaces, including cavities and projections, are fully treated. When the articles reach the discharge end of the coriveyors they are forced into the discharge vestibule I and slide along the iioor II and are discharged from the apparatus. If desired, suitable automatic apparatus may be provided for conveying the articles away from the treating apparatus.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6 there is shown apparatus provided with modified charging and discharging mechanisms for supplying the articles to the conveyor and removing them therefrom in an effective manner. The apparatus may be provided with 'one or more abrasive projector wheels and a conveyor ||3 generally similar in construction to those above described. The forward end of the conveyor is open and the adjacent wall of the housing 99 is formed with an opening |00 through which projects the charging drum |0I. The charging drum |0| is rotatably mounted on a plurality of rolls freely rotatable on pins |06 carried by spaced arms |01 of a supporting frame |08.- The rolls |05 may be formed with peripheralgrooves |04 adapted to receive circumferential flanges |03 formed on the outside of the drum |0| and spaced sufciently to support the drum |0| in stable position on the rolls |05.

The drum |0| may extend into the housing 99 and overlie the forward end of the conveyor H3, whereby articles may be advanced by the drum I0| and deposited on the conveyor I I3. The conveyor H3 may `be driven from a shaft |09 carrying a sprocket I I0 and a chain III may be trained over the sprocket I l0 and over a circumferential ring Upon rotation of the shaft |09 the drum .I 0| is correspondingly rotated.

The drum |0I may be provided on its inner surface with inwardly projecting, inclined lugs |02 disposed in staggered or echelon arrangement.v

Upon rotation of the drum, articles which are deposited therein are given a forward movement by the inclined lugs |02 and advanced along the drum I 0| and finally are deposited on the conveyor H3.

If desired, a drum |20, similar to the drum |0| may be provided for discharging the articles from the conveyor H3. 'The drum |20 may be constructed, mounted and driven in a manner similar to the drum |0| except that the lugs |02, thereon are arranged to carry the articles out of the apparatus. The drum |20 preferably is mounted so that the lowermost portion of the oor of the drum is level with thelowermost portion ofthe floor of the trough provided by the conveyor H3. Thus as the articles reach the end of .the conveyor H3 they are depositedin the drum |20 and are carried away from the end of the conveyor I I3. The drum |20 may be arranged to discharge the articles into a suitable receptacleor o'n the floor adjacent to the apparatus or onto asuitable conveyor. Y

4Referring now to iFigs. 7 and 8, there is shownwith a drum |55 constructed, mounted and driven in a manner generally similar to the drum shown in Fig. 5 and described above:

'I'he conveyor |49 may comprise a plurality of rolls |50 of generally cylindrical form, the ends 4of the rolls |50 terminating in shaft portions |53 ends thereof by a sprocket |54 fixed to the shaft portion |53 of each roll. The sprockets |54 are driven synchronously from a suitable shaft |60 mounted in one or more bearings |6I. 'I'he shaft i60 carries a sprocket |62 and a chain |63 is trained over the sprocket |62 and all of the sprockets |54. Upon rotation of the shaft |60 the sprockets |54 are driven and the rolls |50 'driven in synchronism.

The articles to be treated are deposited on the conveyor |49 by the drum |55 or in any other suitable manner. The side Walls of the grooves 5| provide moving, inclined abutments which engage the articles and advance them upwardly along the side Walls of the conveyor in a manner analogous to that described in connection with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. 'I'he grooves being inclined, also exerta force on the articles longitudinally of the conveyor tending to ladvance the articles along the conveyor simultaneously with the tumbling action. Abrasive is projected against the articles in a manner similar to that above described and the articles may be discharged from the other end of the conveyor in any suitable manner.

'I'he present invention provides apparatus whereby articles may be eectively and continuously treated by a stream of granular treating material for the purpose of .modifying the surface characteristics of. the articles in various manners. The articles may be supplied continuously to the apparatus, and the latter need notA stream, all of the articles and all portions of the surfaces of each article are fully and completely treated. The articles are positively tumbled and positively advanced and the period of treatment may be closely controlled.

The apparatus provided by the present invention is relatively simple and rugged and is positive in operation. 'I'he rolls and other portions of the apparatus which are subject yto severe wear'from the treating material can be quickly and easily removed for the purpose of repairing or replacing these parts. The apparatus is relatively automatic inl operation and can be operated with the minimum of attention on the part of the operator. The apparatus may be employed with suitable automatic apparatus for conveying the articles to be treated to the treating apparatus and removing them therefrom so that the treating apparatus may be installed as a component part of. relatively continuous pro; duction line.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it willrbe understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those Askilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. .Apparatus` for treating metal articles including, means for projecting a stream of abrasive material, a concave supporting surface defined by a series of longitudinally extending members, and means for imparting movement to said members for effecting a tumbling movement of the articles treated across said members,

and projections onsaid members for advancing said articles along said surface and through said. stream. i

' 2. Apparatus for treating metal articles including, means for projecting a streamv of abrasive' elements, means mounting said elements' in a series to form a supporting surface for supporting articles to be treated, spaced projections on said elements,. and means for rotating said elements whereby said spaced projections impart a tumy mounting said rolls in proximity to ea'ch other bling movement to articles and advance them through said stream.

4. Apparatus for treating metal articles including, means for projecting a stream of abrasive particles, a series of individually movable rolls each including a' shaft having a plurality of non-circular blocks mounted thereon, means whereby saidblocks form a supporting surface for`the articles to be treated, and means for rotating said rolls individually whereby said blocks engage said articles and'impart impulses thereto whereby to tumble said articles about in said stream.

,5, Apparatus for treating metal articles including, means for projecting a stream of abrasive particles, a vseries of individually movable rolls each having a plurality of spaced projections thereon forming abutments, means mounting said rolls in out of line relationship so that the peripheries thereof form a concave supsaid rolls to form -a substantially continuous supporting surface, andv means for rotating said rolls whereby said abutments effect a tumbling movement of said articles on said supporting surfaceand in said stream.

7. Apparatus for treating metal articles including, an abrasive-throwing wheel for projecting a fan-shaped stream of abrasive particles, a conveyorl for tumbling articles in and through said'stream of abrasive particles, said conveyor having a generally arcuate supporting surface greater than 90 but less than 360 in extent defining therebetween a longitudinal opening through which the abrasive stream is projected against the articles supported upon said arcuate surface, a drum disposed adjacent and extending to said conveyor, a plurality of inclined abut-y ments on said drum, and means for rotating said drum, whereby said abutments engage the articles to be treated and advance them along said drum to said conveyor-for treatment, said wheel being so arranged that the particles constituting said fan-shaped stream will strike the^article at different angles during the tumbling movement thereof. y

8. Apparatus for treating metal articles, including, means for projecting a fan-shaped stream of. abrasive particles, a conveyor for tumbling articles through said stream of treating material, said projecting means being so arranged that the particles constitutingA said abrasive stream impinge the article at different angles during the tumbling movement thereof said conveyor having a generally arcuate supporting surface greater than 90 but less than 360 inextentdefining therebetween a longitudinal opening through which the abrasive stream is projected .against the articles supported upon said arcuate surface, a drum disposed adjacent and extending from said conveyor in position to receive articles from said conveyor, a plurality of inclined abutments on said drum, and means for rotating said drum whereby said projections advance the articles to be treated along said drum and away from said conveyor.

9. Apparatus for abrasively treating metal articles including, a conveyor presenting a trough-like supporting surface, means for imparting a combined lateral shifting, raising and downward tumbling movement and a forward advancing movement of the metal articles on said surface, an abrasive throwing wheel mountedin position to throw a fan shaped stream of treating particles against the articles n s'aid.

surface, means for rotating said wheel, a second wheel disposed in position to throw a second fan shaped stream of treating particles against said articles, and means for rotating said second wheel oppositely to said rst wheel whereby to project a second stream oppositelyto said first stream, said wheels being arranged to project their vrespective abrasive streams against the articles during tumbling and advancing movement thereof with 'the particles of each stream striking the articles at diierent angles during the advancing vmovement thereof.

DAVID C. TURNBUIL. 

